Claibourn Hamilton, Designer at Le Métier de Beaute
Claibourn Hamilton’a BIO
Resume of Claibourn Hamilton
education
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, December 2008
Graphic Design
design / artistic direction
Le Métier de Beauté Luxury Cosmetics, New York
Designer, 2011 – present
Managed all aspects of design department; conceptualized
and designed consistent communications across every
platform; from packaging and advertising to print collateral
and web; art directed and retouched product photography;
maintained brand voice for consumer loyalty and equity.
Metro U.S. Newspaper, New York
Graphic Designer, 2009 – 2011
Designed and developed creative print advertising solutions
for maximum readership and greater revenue; prepped and
trafficked final advertisements on timely basis; maintained
editorial and production guidelines throughout.
Phillips De Pury & Co., New York
Catalog Design Intern, 2008
Assisted art department with file organization and image
management of art & photography; designed print-ready
layouts for seasonal auction catalogs.
Deutsch Inc. Advertising, New York
Art Studio Intern, 2006–2007
Assisted art directors in brainstorming creative concepts,
building comps and design solutions for national
advertising campaigns; Aided in cutting and mounting
for in-house presentations.
freelance design
Parenting Magazine, Bonnier Corporation, New York
Freelance Graphic Designer, 2009 via Creative Circle
Designed print-ready advertising and marketing units for
monthly publication; performed photo research and change
requests; trafficked final designs to production on a timely
basis; adhered to editorial and design standards.
Waterfront Media, New York
Freelance Digital Production Designer, 2007 via Update Graphics
Designed web-ready home page modules, photo galleries
and banner ads for EverydayHealth.com; acquired ‘on-brand’
licensed photos, styled type, re-touched images and
maintained stock photo budget.
other professional experience
Museum of Modern Art Soho Design Store, New York
Furniture Specialist 2003–2006
Assisted customers with purchase of furniture products,
ensured inventory levels; updated manufacturer info;
Increased product performance through membership
sales and in-store promotions.
professional affiliations
American Institute of Graphic Arts, New York
Member, 2006–Present
Society of Publication Designers, New York
Member, 2006–Present
skills / acknowledgements
Proficient Use of: Adobe Creative Suite 6, MS Office,
Featured Design Work on AIGA Member Portfolios Gallery, 2013
Featured Design Work on Adwe
http://clahami.prosite.com/
http://claibourn.tumblr.com/
IN THE SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
1. How did your design career begin?
Claibourn: I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2008 with a BFA in Graphic Design; this coincided with the 2008 economic crises when the job market greatly deteriorated. Luckily, soon after, I obtained a few short-term freelance jobs through creative agencies and also sought out my own clients. This helped me gain professional job experience until I secured my first full-time design job at Metro New York newspaper.
Currently, as the sole Designer for Le Métier de Beauté cosmetics, I manage all aspects of the design department, ensuring consistency in the brand’s corporate communication across all platforms.
2. There is no typical day in the life of an entrepreneur. Please share with us a sample of your day, start to finish.
Claibourn: The cosmetics & fashion seasons dictate my day-to-day schedule of design tasks. I was involved in every aspect of beauty product launches and, since the planning seasons were very short, my priorities usually focused on the following:
* Product development
* Product packaging & labels
* Shooting & retouching product photography
* The concept and design of related marketing & promotional communications for both print & web.
3. What are your ‘can’t live without’ Smartphone or desktop applications?
Claibourn: The Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop, InDesign & Illustrator; these are programs essential for creating necessary design assets for the brand.
4. What are your tricks for time management?
Claibourn: Many times in the design & review process, there are several revisions & edits that need to be made. As the sole Designer in a fast-pace environment, it was important to organize my workload. To meet deadlines in a timely fashion, I created an Excel spreadsheet, prioritizing tasks for all short & long-term design jobs.
5. What was the best advice you received when you started your career?
Claibourn: The best advice I received when I started my design career was from Vincenzo Vella, my Adjunct Assistant Professor in Graphic Design at FIT. Prof. Vella encouraged me to be flexible and open-minded about my career choices; he also assisted me in further editing my portfolio during my initial job search after graduation.
6. Given the current economic climate, what has been your strategy for building professional short term and long term growth?
Claibourn: I am very fortunate to have worked in my designated profession as a graphic designer, but considering the economic climate, it is important to stay competitive and desirable. Personally, I update my resume & portfolio with new work entries. To stay proficient, I also upgraded to the most recent version of the Adobe creative software to learn new editing tools.
I also make new professional contacts to expand my network; Linked-in has been my primary source for doing this.
7. What is your proudest achievement as an accomplished professional?
Claibourn: Contributing to the creative evolution of the for Le Métier de Beauté brand. My beauty photography was recently featured on the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Member Portfolios Galleries; I was among the few selected that promoted new creative thinking | portfolios.aiga.org/gallery/BEAUTY-PHOTOGRAPHY/8628743
8. How do you achieve balance in your life?
Claibourn: I love cooking, traveling, and attending museum & art exhibitions for personal balance in my life. These small and simple pleasures give me the chance to make new discoveries, observe trends and stay creatively inspired.
9. Your top 3 book recommendations?
Claibourn: My top three book recommendations are:
The Graphic Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Graphic Designers Need to Know Every Day by Poppy Evans, Aaris Sherin, Irina Lee
Art Direction Explained, At Last! by Steven Heller
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
10. What are your most rewarding charitable involvements?
Claibourn: I once volunteered my time to review graduating students’ work at my alma-mater, The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). I actually would like to do more of this. Additionally, I created a poster design for an anti-corruption campaign of a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Most recently, I designed the cover for a book on LGBT issues in the U.S.
11. Who has influenced your career the most?
Claibourn: My afore-mentioned design professor, Vincenzo Vella for his objective design critiques at FIT; also my design peer and fellow FIT alumni, Tomasz Modzelewski who always offered me his time for effective design critiques and for his professional design savvy.
12. What is your advice for someone interested in starting a business?
Claibourn: Starting work as a Freelancer is a great way for any designer to start his/her own business. It gave me the freedom to not only choose my own clients, but also allowed me to acquire an entrepreneurial spirit. I learned how to negotiate design contracts, speak intelligently about my work and ultimately build up a great design portfolio. Additionally, I would advise any designer to join their national chapter of AIGA, The American Institute of Graphic Arts. The membership offers abundant opportunities to attend design discussions & panels, enter design competitions and attend events to meet other designers and expand your network.
Beyond Success Online 